[LINK] NBN Smart Off Peak Appliances Needed

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Tom and Jim write,
 
> > Also it may be use for have more complex signals for more
> > sophisticated devices. As an example, sending a signal in advance
> > of an anticipated peak would allow an appliance to gracefully lower
> > its power use, rather than a sudden "SWITCH OFF NOW".
> >
> 
> A really smart system for a high joule application - eg, hot water or
> a car charger - might plan its usage based on estimated spot pricing.


Good thinking, Tom and Jim. 

Taking this further, and, simply and briefly, looking at social systems
ahead of any necessary technical-arrangements, it does makes sense that
in future we might have, 'power-brokers'.

That is, we power consumers can sign up to power-brokers who gaurantee
clients (us) the cheapest available spot prices for electricity, 24/7,
by a supplier 'hot-swapping' process. This would lead to genuine power 
competition, and encourage many newbie companies into power production.

For example, small local co-operatives could produce sustainable power,
and on-sell their excess power. At present, power generation companies
are mostly large utility companies, but with a micro-spot-market, then
anyone, or any group, could be in the generation business by any means.

Many such small, and efficient, sustainable power producers would, for 
sure, make a killing in terms of carbon-credits, (compared with coal &
gas burner power-producers) while 'dirty' suppliers should become more
and more un-economic. That is, a truly competitive generation scenario.

Cheers,
Stephen